Newz Desk, Durgapur: In a move aimed at addressing growing concerns over children’s online safety, WhatsApp is set to introduce a new parent-controlled feature designed specifically for younger users. The update is expected to give parents greater visibility and control over how their children use the popular messaging platform.
Although online classes have largely faded since the pandemic, smartphones remain an essential tool for communication, safety and studies. As a result, many children now have access to apps like WhatsApp. However, curiosity often draws them deeper into the digital world, sometimes exposing them to inappropriate or harmful content—raising concerns among families.
To tackle this, the new feature—reportedly aimed at users below the age of 13—will allow parents to monitor their child’s activity on the app. The child’s account will be linked directly to the parent’s WhatsApp through a QR code scanning process, requiring both devices to be present during setup. Once connected, parents will effectively have control over key aspects of their child’s account.
The kid-focused version of WhatsApp will come with several restrictions. Features such as Channels, Status updates and Meta AI will not be available. Additionally, options like disappearing messages and “view once” media will be disabled. Children will be limited to personal and group messaging, creating a more controlled and simplified environment.
Beyond monitoring, parents will also be able to manage privacy settings and reset PINs if needed. As the child grows older and crosses the age threshold, WhatsApp will notify parents about transitioning the account from a kid version to a standard one. Guardians will have up to 12 months to approve the change.
The move comes as a relief for many parents who have been grappling with balancing digital access and safety. With this update, WhatsApp appears to be taking a step toward making its platform more secure and family-friendly in an increasingly connected world.
